Introduction to Ecosystems

Ecosystem All of the living and nonliving things in an area that interact for survival.

Organism: any living thing

Ecosystem

Ecosystem

Ecosystem

Abiotic and Biotic Interactions

Abiotic Factors Bio = “Life” A = “Not” Abiotic = “Not Life” = Nonliving parts

Precipitation (Rain or Snow) Air Water Precipitation (Rain or Snow) Rocks, Soil, Minerals ABIOTIC (nonliving) Factors Shelter Weather and Climate Sunlight Temperature

Biotic Factors PRODUCERS CONSUMERS DECOMPOSERS Bio = “Life” Biotic = Living parts PRODUCERS CONSUMERS DECOMPOSERS

down dead organisms, provide nutrients for producers) (Food Makers) DECOMPOSERS (Break down dead organisms, provide nutrients for producers) Biotic (Living) Factors CONSUMERS (Food Eaters) Nature Recycles!

Interactions in Ecosystems

Biotic/Abiotic Interactions Interact – when one thing has an effect on another thing

Biotic/Abiotic Interactions

Biotic/Biotic Interactions

Biotic/Biotic Interactions

ABIOTIC & BIOTIC BIOTIC & BIOTIC Ecosystem Interactions Organisms using air (breathing, flying) Food Chains/Food Webs (organisms eating each other) Organisms using other organisms for shelter (birds living in trees) Organisms using water (drinking, swimming) (Your example 1) (Your example 1) (Your example 2) (Your example 2) (Your example 3) (Your example 3)

Levels of Organization

First Level - Individual Smallest level – only ONE organism

Second Level - Population ALL of the members of the same species

Third Level - Community ALL of the populations (or, all of the living things)

Fourth Level - Ecosystem ALL of the living things + ALL of the non-living things

Levels of Organization

Levels of Organization Individual (one organism) Draw your own illustrations for each level! Population (all members of 1 species) Community (all populations / all living things) Ecosystem (all living things + all non-living things)